Christmas Eve

Thank you for taking time to read this message and Merry Christmas!

What a year this has been. To think that we will have seen an entire year where we could not open the doors to Woodland Beach Community Church and again on this very special night.

To say this has been difficult would be a huge understatement, but here we are on the threshold of a very different Christmas.

This has been a year where people who wanted to get married couldn’t and people who lost loved ones couldn’t be buried or at least have the kind of service that normally would take place. And now we are 2 days away from a more stringent lock-down that will prevent us from seeing loved ones and friends.

So where is the Merry Christmas this year? Where is the wonder for Christmas 2020.

Good News! It is found in the scriptures, the living word of God, the unchangeable timeless truth of the Bible.

Luke 2:10 says, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

This year has been met with a lot of fear overall and especially for those who already struggled with anxiety and fear. But scripture tells us to “not be afraid” because of the “good news that is for everyone.”

How can we face all that is before us and do so with a sense of great joy?

Because of the Good News of the birth of the saviour of the world.

This news is not simply history it is applicable and as great today as it was when it was pronounced that first Christmas.

A saviour has been born who knows us personally, who has promised to be with us always no matter what and who has said that nothing can separate us from His love. Romans 8.

Some of you may be reading this and thinking this is just a rhetorical message but consider the context that 2020 brings to the truth of scripture for the fact that despite all that we have experienced and may continue to, God is with us. Emanuel, God with us is the good news. It wasn’t an announcement just for a time but for all time. For yesterday, for today and for tomorrow. Our saviour was born on this night in a manger, came to the world in human flesh to save the world so that no matter what is going on in our lives and in the world He is with us.

Who could have imagined last March that we would be having a Covid Christmas and what that would look like. For each of us that will look different as far as gathering and traditions, and although we could not be a part of the annual Woodland Beach Church Christmas Eve service, what remains is the reality that we can celebrate Jesus birth and continue to live a life of Hope and Peace. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

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“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

As we celebrate let us praise God for all He has done, for his love and the gift of His son.

Joy to the world, the Lord has come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

May you sense His presence this Christmas and be filled with the Joy and Peace that only He can bring.

God’s richest Blessings

Greg Armstrong